222 
CURSORES. 
stant burden, and the eyes, which are large, are 
placed so high up as to give it quite a singular look ; 
but these peculiarities, no doubt, assist it in its noc- 
turnal rambles, the large eye admitting more light, 
and its elevated position commanding a greater range 
of vision. Thus, it can discover with greater ease 
the approach of an enemy, and while flying over its 
favorite feeding grounds, can more readily select a 
spot suited to its tastes. 
The nest of this bird is loosely built of dry leaves 
and grass, and generally placed at the foot of some 
low bush, or by the side of a prostrate log, in the 
darkest and most secluded part of the woods. The 
eggs are mostly four, and are of a clayish-colored 
ground, with irregular patches of brown and purple 
thickly sprinkled over the surface. The young com- 
mence to run about as soon as hatched, and so rapid 
is their growth, that at the age of six weeks they are 
almost as active on the wing as their parents. 
The next family of the Waders which we shall no- 
tice, is that of the Ibis; of this group we number 
four species, one of which, the richly-colored Scarlet 
Ibis, is a very doubtful resident among us, as a few 
only have ever been seen in the country, and it seems 
likely that its occurrence among us has been purely 
accidental, as it is evidently a native of a warm 
Southern climate. It appears to be quite plentiful 
in the West India Islands, and in the Bahamas, 
which are no doubt its natural haunts. 
The White Ibis inhabits the southern parts of 
Florida, where it is resident. In Summer, some in- 
